Key Highlights:
- Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen is stepping in as a reserve driver for Verstappen Racing in the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO.
- Verstappen will share the cockpit with regular team driver Chris Lulham and Lexus factory pilot Ben Barnicoat in a stacked 61-car field.
- Qualifying begins Friday at 5:55 p.m. local time, featuring an average-lap format, ahead of the race start on Saturday, October 17 at 5:00 p.m. local time.
Max Verstappen Enters GT3 Competition with Verstappen Racing
Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen is stepping into his GT3 program this weekend, taking the wheel as a formidable reserve driver for his own outfit, Verstappen Racing. While Verstappen is not a week-in, week-out regular in the team’s cockpit, his presence instantly raises the stakes for the event. The Red Bull driver will pilot the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO in a competitive 61-car field, teaming up with drivers Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat.
Inside the Lineup: Who Are Chris Lulham and Ben Barnicoat?
Chris Lulham: The Sim-to-Reality Standout
Co-driver Chris Lulham brings established familiarity to the entry, having served as a regular competitor for Verstappen Racing cars in 2026. Originating from the competitive sim racing community, Lulham transitioned successfully into real-world GT machinery with direct backing from Verstappen. Thanks to their shared background and chemistry, Lulham holds a critical advantage heading into the weekend: an intimate understanding of how the Verstappen Racing operation functions trackside.
Ben Barnicoat: An Established GT Specialist
Joining the roster alongside Verstappen and Lulham is Chesterfield-born English driver Ben Barnicoat, who adds immense sports car pedigree to the entry. Barnicoat serves as a factory driver for Lexus, piloting the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 for Vasser Sullivan in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Barnicoat’s racing resume features an array of endurance accolades:
- Four years spent within McLaren’s factory driver program before moving to Lexus in 2022.
- Secured the 2022 Asian Le Mans Series GT title behind the wheel of a McLaren.
- Won Motul Petit Le Mans during his debut campaign with Lexus in 2022.
- Captured the 2023 IMSA GTD Pro championship alongside co-driver Jack Hawksworth.
- Claimed a GTD Pro class victory at the Twelve Hours of Sebring in 2024.
- Claimed two GT World Challenge Europe pole positions in 2021, proving his outright pace across international GT3 machinery.
Weekend Format and Schedule Breakdown
The race weekend format requires collective consistency across the driver lineup. Qualifying commences on Friday at 5:55 p.m. local time. During this session, Verstappen, Lulham, and Barnicoat will each set a flying lap during their respective driving stints, with the final grid position determined by calculating the aggregate average time of all three drivers. The main race is scheduled to go green on Saturday, October 17 at 5:00 p.m. local time.
Why This Matters
Verstappen’s competitive outing highlights the growing integration between elite Formula 1 talent, sim racing development pathways, and premier customer GT3 racing. By pairing a sim-racing graduate like Lulham with an accomplished endurance professional like Barnicoat, the Verstappen Racing entry demonstrates how modern sports car efforts balance emerging digital-era talent with proven factory-level endurance expertise against a massive 61-car grid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What car will Max Verstappen race this weekend?
Verstappen will race the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO under the Verstappen Racing banner.
Who are Verstappen’s co-drivers for the event?
He is partnered with sim-to-reality racer Chris Lulham and Lexus factory driver Ben Barnicoat.
How is the starting grid decided for the race?
Qualifying takes place on Friday at 5:55 p.m. local time, where each driver runs an individual timed session. The final starting grid is established by taking the combined average of the fastest lap times set by all three drivers.
